Monte Horizonte

The Bazar da Lapa is (more or less) all that, but not exactly. It’s a place where, in the last day of each month, citizens organize themed events and sell things, a little of everything. It can be lingerie, dresses, jackets and other women wear, boots,  shoes, purses, lamps, tables, candles, fabrics, perfumes, champagne, organic olive oil and gourmet canned-goods. From the last Wednesday of each month, the bazaar opens with a new theme. And every month, few know what lies behind that door, at No. 88 Rua da Lapa to Bela Vista in Lisbon. It is only known that the products are nice, they have quality and prices are good. Very good. For months in which they are clothed in a thousand and two thousand euros to 50 or € 100. You can find Portuguese products are only sold “out there” as in the case of sardines the “Pinhais e Cia.”, which exports 98% of its merchandise. The idea is original. Source: Visão.

The beaches of Portugal have entered into competition for the selection of the 7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal, whose election focuses on three areas: Environment, Tourism and the Sea. The process started in November with the opening round of applications on a site created for this purpose. All beaches to consider in the election process will be organized by the country’s ten regions and seven categories. After a selection process by 70 experts to come up with a list of 70 pre-finalists, and then by a panel of 21 notables, the shortlist of 21 finalists for public voting will be presented in May 2012. The public will vote via text, phone call, web (www.7maravilhas.pt) and Facebook. The “7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal ” will be revealed in September. The country’s geographical representation is assured by the presence of at least one finalist in each of the 10 regions of the country and around the selection and voting process is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associates – SROC Ltd.

++ Mount Giestal Villas & Spa – this unit of rural tourism in the Alentejo, was opened at the end of October. The new resort, located in the municipality of Santiago de Cacém, village of Abela, has ten cottages with traditional checkin area, games room, lounge and terrace. The buildings are surrounded by oak trees. The Spa has a wide offer of massages and baths, and guests can also enjoy the gym. Among the services provided are still the pool, tennis courts, bike rides that can be extended by 70 acres of property. The main materials used in bed frames, tables and various decorative pieces are made of cork or oak wood, which grow naturally in Portugal.

++ Rossio Hotel**** – Portalegre – Set to open in early 2012 -  The Rossio Hotel will be a new four star hotel situated in the city of Portelagre in the Northeastern Alentejo. The location, on the Rua 31 de Janeiro, near the Rossio Square made it easy to the name the hotel. It it will offer 18 rooms, suited by its location in the center-of-town for tourism and business customers.  “Built from an existing historic building, the structure was largely built from scratch since the existing one was in bad shape,” says Ana Salgueiro. The Rossio Hotel is owned by local construction company – Seconfral.Of the 18 themed rooms, 12 are twins and the remaining six are double rooms, one being intended for people with reduced mobility. The hotel also has two spaces with fitness equipment, a computer room, a small meeting room, breakfast room and parking with direct access to the floors of rooms for your convenience.

++Solar S. Mamede – An inn at the heart of the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede is getting set to welcome guests soon. Solar de Sao Mamede is in the so called “Tourist Triangle of North Alentejo of the towns of Castelo de Vide, Portalegre and Marvão, three locations, three counties with lots to see, visit, feel and do.

++Nespereira e Moinho Velho – São Teotónio (Set to open late January 2012) -  A unique haven in Portugal’s Alentejo undiscovered and unspoiled National Ecological Reserve. Loquat is a privately owned static SET high in the Alentejo region of Portugal, the National Ecological Reserve provides a rural escape. The Nespereira e Moinho Velho – São Teotónio was designed for families, couples, single parents and individuals in search of total serenity, with stunning landscapes. Those who demand good taste, comfort and the sensitive approach to nature and the environment will thrive here.  Surrounded by 240 hectares of cork forest, this rural retreat boutique comprises four private individual villas and luxurious 4 ‘Nature Hideaways’ – beautifully restored 1970′s mobile homes. The accommodation provides the utmost in comfort, seclusion and proximity to nature. Guests at the Nespereira property offered two very distinct types of accommodation – spacious, sophisticated and well appointed ‘Taipas House’ villas or ‘Nature Hideaways’, the ultimate in luxury camping. All accommodation is self catering but is serviced daily and cooks and shopping services can be arranged.

++ The Tapada da Mata EcoResort & Spa – Évora is the new project of Manuel Policarpo that is scheduled to start operating mid-2012. The project embodies the transition of the business travel agency for the hotel. Remember that the company, formerly known Policarpo Travel and Tourism, sold to two travel agents last year. The hotel has been awarded a four star hotel accreditation with 52 suites / bungalows. The hotel unit results from a joint effort of investors, in order of six million euros. Tapada Forest Eco-resort, named after the five hectares of land which will be built, is based on “sustainable tourism environmental practices and policies from construction to hotel management,” says Manuel Policarpo, adding that the construction area is only 5,000 meters.

It’s true! Already at this time, the passage of year was indicated by bonfires, which were lit and that accentuated the vibrancy of Madeireans’ homes. Later on, in the 18th century, the residing British community introduced rocket fire to signal the New Year’s beginning. ?A century later, a Madeirean banker – João José Rodrigues Leitão – chose to recreate this tradition and the truth is, from then on, wealthy families from the island competed among each others in the rocket launch, promoting a fireworks spectacle which range spread from the higher city areas. This firework display, already at the time, provided the perfect excuse to extend all night long celebrations taking place in the ballrooms.?Over the years this show continued to grow, finding more supporters, until in 2006 it was internationally recognized by “The Guinness World of Records” as the “biggest fireworks display of the World”, which has not yet been overtaken.

Pedro Gadanho has been appointed as new Contemporary Architecture and Museum Design curator at the New York Museum of Modern Art. Born in Covilhã, mainland Portugal, Gadanho holds a degree in Architecture from the University of Porto where he presently teaches. A designer, curator, critic, researcher and author, he also holds a Master’s degree in Art and Architecture from the Kent Institute of Arts and Design (UK). He is the editor-in-chief of  Beyond, Short Stories on the Post-Contemporary a “bookzine” started in 2009 through Sun Architecture and the editor of the blog ShrapnelContemporary.

The Algarve Promotion Bureau has announced the International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) will head to the destination in 2012. Organized by Reed Travel Exhibitions, IGTM 2012 exhibition will be the 15th edition of the world’s premier global event for golf tourism suppliers, buyers and media and is to take place from November 12th–15^th, 2012 at the Tivoli Marina Hotel in Vilamoura. The Algarve has attracted golfers for over 30 years and with an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, calm winds and championship standard golf courses, the Algarve provides some of the best golfing conditions in Europe. António Pina, president of the Algarve Tourism Board said: “It is with considerable pride that Portugal, and more specifically the Algarve, will once again host the prestigious International Golf Travel Market. “With exceptional facilities and an enviable year-round climate, IGTM 2012 will provide the Algarve with a significant opportunity to promote the region as a first-class golf destination,” he added. Purpose-built for tourism in the 1970s, the Algarve has developed into a cosmopolitan destination, attracting nearly six million visitors each year who come to play the region’s 35 golf courses designed by some of the game’s great names including Sir Henry Cotton, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo and the late Seve Ballesteros. Pina added: “We look forward to welcoming global golf tourism suppliers, buyers, official dignitaries and media to the Algarve. The region is home to a selection of the world’s finest golf resorts and luxury hotels, all supported by a wealth of leisure facilities, high-class restaurants and vibrant bars. Peter Grimster, exhibition manager of IGTM said: “Portugal has been at the heart of the golf travel business for three decades and it has established itself as one of Europe’s finest destinations. For more information please click here and here.

easyJet confirmed that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations for both business and leisure passengers. The initial operations will commence with five new services, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Venice and a brand new destination – Asturias (Spain), in addition to its 16 existing routes. Travelers will now have a wider range of choices, with 21 routes from Lisbon and over 150 flights per week during the peak season. Initially easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircraft that will be permanently based in Lisbon. As part of its commitment to establish a base in Lisbon, easyJet will be recruiting around 100 employees for the base, the majority of which will be cabin crew and pilots. These additional flights will create further indirect jobs in various areas, from ground handling at the airport to the tourism industry. The base will officially open in April 2012, and seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on November 2011. EasyJet’s existing routes portfolio at Lisbon: ?Barcelona, Basel/ Mulhouse/ Freiburg, Berlin, Bristol, Edinburgh, Geneva, Liverpool, London (Luton and Gatwick) and Lyon. Find more details at http://corporate.easyjet.com/media/ and at www.easyjet.com

The Bazar da Lapa is (more or less) all that, but not exactly. It’s a place where, in the last day of each month, citizens organize themed events and sell things, a little of everything. It can be lingerie, dresses, jackets and other women wear, boots,  shoes, purses, lamps, tables, candles, fabrics, perfumes, champagne, organic olive oil and gourmet canned-goods. From the last Wednesday of each month, the bazaar opens with a new theme. And every month, few know what lies behind that door, at No. 88 Rua da Lapa to Bela Vista in Lisbon. It is only known that the products are nice, they have quality and prices are good. Very good. For months in which they are clothed in a thousand and two thousand euros to 50 or € 100. You can find Portuguese products are only sold “out there” as in the case of sardines the “Pinhais e Cia.”, which exports 98% of its merchandise. The idea is original. Source: Visão.

The beaches of Portugal have entered into competition for the selection of the 7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal, whose election focuses on three areas: Environment, Tourism and the Sea. The process started in November with the opening round of applications on a site created for this purpose. All beaches to consider in the election process will be organized by the country’s ten regions and seven categories. After a selection process by 70 experts to come up with a list of 70 pre-finalists, and then by a panel of 21 notables, the shortlist of 21 finalists for public voting will be presented in May 2012. The public will vote via text, phone call, web (www.7maravilhas.pt) and Facebook. The “7 Wonders – Beaches of Portugal ” will be revealed in September. The country’s geographical representation is assured by the presence of at least one finalist in each of the 10 regions of the country and around the selection and voting process is audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers & Associates – SROC Ltd.

From the 19^th to the 22^nd of July 2012, Lisbon will host the Tall Ships fleet and visitors from around the world at a unique maritime event, full of fun and entertainment! Lisbon will play host to 60 Tall Ships and 5,000 crewmembers representing 49 countries around the world. The event “The Tall Ships Races 2012 Lisbon” will have the old part of Lisbon as a backdrop. The North Side of the Tejo River, between Santa Apolónia and Terreiro do Paço, will see one million visitors that are expected to visit the Tall Ships, attend concerts with a unique surrounding and enjoy many other activities that are being planned by the organization. The highest moment of “The Tall Ships Races 2012 Lisbon” happens in July 22^nd, when the 60 Tall Ships will sail down the Tejo River before heading back to the open sea.

Madeira has a mild sub-tropical climate and with the aid of the Gulf Stream manages to keep temperatures warm all year round. Madeira’s micro-climate means that temperatures rarely fall outside the range of 18 to 25 degrees Celsius and the island generally enjoys average temperatures of 20 degrees Celsius right to the end of November.

Whisk the family away on a houseboat holiday this October half term to the Amieira Marina. The marina is situated on Europe’s largest man-made lake in the Alentejo region of Portugal and offers the perfect opportunity to catch some late summer sun.

Calling all golfers! Following the continuing success of the From the Algarve with Love golf promotion launched in 2009, the Algarve Promotion Bureau is pleased to offer groups of eight golfers the chance for one golfer to stay and play for free for a third year running.

Occupying one of the most stunning locations in the Algarve, the Vivenda Miranda is nestled on the dramatic cliffs above the pretty Porto de Mós beach, no more than 2 km from the historic town of Lagos. Originally built in the 17th Century by an English nobleman as his family home, this beautiful, romantic hotel remains a secluded, intimate paradise.

The sixth annual International Gourmet Festival will be taking place at the Vila Joya Resort in the Algarve from 12th to 22nd January 2012.

At 130 Rua Gomes Freire in Lisbon, the Residencial Princesa, founded in 1972 under the name Pensão Residencial Nova Castanheirense, is preparing to undergo renovations in order to reclassify itself as a three-star location that will tell the story of Dona Catarina de Bragança.  In his comments to Publituris, Paulo Lopes, the unit’s manager as well as owner of Alida Vissram e Shelee Hemrage, explained why the hotel is linked to Dona Catarina’s name and how it will be reflected in the future space.

Nazaré makes surf history with the largest waves ever ridden in Portugal. Garrett McNamara’s wave has been entered into the Billabong XXL Global Big Wave Awards 2012, considered the “Oscars” of big wave ridding. This is the first time that a wave from Portugal has been entered into the competition. On October 17th, 2011 Garrett was towing with CJ Macias, from Florida, on the first big swell of the project. The swell had been building since Sunday and peaked on Monday. McNamara towed into the biggest wave ridden this year, the biggest wave of the three-day swell. On this same day, the largest wave paddled into this year was caught as well. It was also the largest wave ever paddled into in Portugal. The two were towing when McNamara decided to paddle into a few with his trusted 11’1 Rusty Waimea Gun. “This beach is so challenging. You really need to make sure you are in the right spot. I did my best to position myself and then just went for it. I had no idea how big the wave was, I was just so excited to finally paddle into a wave at Praia do Norte. Can’t wait for the next swell so we can go for it again,” said Garrett. CJ Macias caught the biggest waves of his life during this three-day swell. It was the first big swell for Macias. He went from 2 foot Florida waves to 40 footers in Praia do Norte. The pictures from Portuguese photographer Wilson Ribeiro are already at the site of the event at http://www.billabongxxl.com/biggest_wave/index.html , in the “Biggest Wave” category. Miguel Sousinha, president of Nazaré Qualifica, said: “It’s an honor to be selected to this award. It’s the recognition of the uniqueness of Praia do Norte and it’s one more step in the way for the consolidation of the communication strategy of Praia do Norte as a destiny of excellence for sports waves.” The “Nazaré Canyon”, that creates the massive swells, is a rare geographical phenomenon. The canyon is the largest in Europe and one of the largest in the world, which can be explained as a gap on the continental plate with 170 kilometers of length and 5 kilometers of depth. The “Nazaré Canyon”, that is located right in front of Praia do Norte, receives the swells from the Atlantic Ocean and creates waves with abnormal size, compared to the rest of the Portuguese coast.

According to Bob Taylor from Travels with Peabod for the Washington Times Sintra is one of 4 great little places in Europe.

“Na Terra no na Lua” (“It’s on Earth, not on the Moon”) is a portrait of life on Corvo Island.

The Azorean world has always been a part of Goncalo Tocha’s life, since some of his family members live on Sao Miguel Island. He went to Corvo for the first time to shoot this documentary, which took him four years to complete. Apart from winning DocLisboa, ” na Terra no na Lua” was also given an honorable mention at the 2011 Locarno Festival, in Switzerland. Corvo is the smallest of the nine Azorean islands, being home to 500 people, but its cultural, architectural and gastronomic heritage is as unique as the 8 sister islands. In 2007, UNESCO classified it as Biosphere Reserve, thus internationally recognizing the island’s singular environmental and cultural features.

The following is an interview with film director Goncalo Tocha, whose documentary about the island of Corvo, ” Na Terra No Na Lua”, was awarded a prize at DOC Lisboa 2011

“The Azores will remain in my camera’s lenses”

How are you connected to the Azores? My family, on my mother’s side, is from there. I mean, my mother and I were born in Lisbon but my grandfather is from So Miguel. So,from my childhood to my adolescence, we used to spend our holidays on So Miguel. There, I had experiences of evasion and Nature that marked me. After some years without going there I returned in 2005, after the death of my grandfather, to engage in a sort of mourning. My first film, “Balaou” (2007), resulted from that trip. Meanwhile, you continue to shoot in the Azores. Your documentary ” Na Terra No Na Lua”, in which you film the island of Corvo, won the Great Prize Cidade de Lisboa at DOC 2011.

I went to Corvo with the idea of making a film, even though at the time I did not know what kind of film I was going to make. There were two people, me, with the camera, and Didio Pestana, with the sound, but we had no idea about what to shoot or about the length of the film. But then this documentary came into existence.

You spoke of your experiences of evasion and Nature in the Azores. Are these two prominent aspects of the archipelago? There, nature is very marking and people are also verymarked by nature. I do not like to separate Nature from people or the opposite, because in the Azores they complement each other. Nature in the Azores is fantastic and different from one place to another, in each island nature transforms itself into something new.

Your idea is to discover the Azores? My idea is to return to places where I cannot get to by myself because I only went there when I was a child, following the instructions of others. Today I go to places that I no longer remember and that I rediscover. On the one hand, nature reinvented itself and, on the other, the Azores itself has also changed. I remember the roads of my childhood and the rocks that cry as the water rolls down the slopes. It is nature that eats us, in the same sense that we were devoured by childhood.

You spoke of some experiences that the Azores offers visitors. Do you take the opportunity toenjoy them? I enjoy experiencing everything in the Azores, with the camera at hand. Just recently I returned to Faial and discovered new and marvelous places that I could not stop filming.

We can conclude, therefore, that your relationship with the Azores is far from ending? There is still much to be discovered in the Azores and I intend to return many times. I constantly think of returning. With this film (” Na Terra No Na Lua”) I went to what is said to be the limit: the island of Corvo. I had never been to the western islands but I ended upmaking a film about Corvo. I managed to capture an island in a film but that is only possible in Corvo, not on the other, larger, islands. But there are other ideas and the Azores will remain in my camera’s lenses.

easyJet confirmed that it will open its 23rd base in Lisbon, with destinations appealing to both business and leisure passengers. The initial operations will commence with five new services, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Bordeaux and Venice and a brand new destination – Asturias, in addition to its 16 existing routes.

Travelers will now have a wider range of choices, with 21 routes from Lisbon and over 150 flights per week during the peak season.

As part of easyJet’s aim to make travel easier, we will offer more frequencies and early morning departures, which will enable Portuguese business travelers to take return trips within the same day to key European cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

Initially, easyJet expects to carry 225,000 additional passengers in the first year, with an additional two A319 aircrafts that will be permanently based in Lisbon.

As part of its commitment to establish a base in Lisbon, easyJet will be recruiting around 100 employees for the base, the majority of which will be cabin crew and pilots. These additional flights will create further indirect jobs in various areas, from ground handling at the airport to the tourism industry.

Catherine Lynn, easyJet’s Customer and Revenue Director said: “We are delighted to be confirming easyJet’s new base in Lisbon. It illustrates our long-term commitment to the market and it will enable us to grow our operations further. Along with significantly contributing to the local economy, our new base will also boost visitors to Lisbon – with over 2 million passengers traveling to and from Lisbon, and 4 million in and out of Portugal in the first year, all traveling with easyJet.”

The base will officially open on April 19, 2012. Seats for the new routes will go on sale at easyJet.com on November 10, 2012.

After completing renovations, the Palácio da Cidadela, or Palace of the Citadel, in Cascais reopens to the public with the opening of the exhibition, “Game of Glory – Twentieth Century Design.” The exhibition examines the main political and social events of this century through humor. The redevelopment of the area includes a pole of the Museum of the Presidency, as well as the definition of circuits for visits various public spaces.  The exhibit will be on display at the Palace of the Citadel until February 26, 2012. The exhibition has been organized from the collection that brings together Peres Ricon’s 2,500 original works and more than 3,200 covering the late nineteenth century and the whole 20th century.

A study by the Economic Intelligence Unit puts the Portuguese capital in the seventh position of European cities for shopping in international travel. The study titled “City Index Globe Shopper – Europe” reveals that Lisbon has had excellent results in the category of ‘Culture and Climate”, thanks to the average number of hours of sunshine a day in the city. The lowest scores were in Lisbon under the category of Hotels and Transport, due to limited road and rail access to the city center, thus lowering the city’s rating. The Globe Shopper City Index – Europe, evaluates the attractiveness of 33 major European cities in terms of purchases during international travel. Each town was classified according to 38 criteria, divided into five categories: Trade, Price, Convenience, Hotels and Transport, Culture and Climate.

The official application of the Azores Geopark for the European Geoparks Network has been sent to the National Commission for UNESCO. The aim is to enhance the connection between geology, volcanic landscape, biodiversity and cultural values. “9 Islands – 1 Geopark” is the application’s motto, referring to the nine islands of the Azores. The international relevance of the region’s geological heritage, its scientific, scenic and educational value, as well as the islands’ vast biodiversity and cultural heritage, count as valid reasons for the Region to be part of the European Geoparks Network. Given the location of the Azores, right in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, a few hours from Europe, the US and Canada, the archipelago is considered a bridge between two continents and it is certainly a destination not to miss. There is a unique historic, architectural and gastronomic heritage in every one of the nine islands. The landscape is equally impressive and that is why the Azores have become a popular destination. But nature in the Azores is not just for contemplating; there are many activities that allow visitors to interact with it. Diving, walking trails, geotourism, playing golf or whale watching are just a few examples of what you should experienced in the region. But if you prefer health and wellness, you will also find a wide and diversified offer on it in the Azores. For more information please visit www.visitazores.com.

A fresh storefront in Ericeira, Tiago Pires Boardriders features over 500 square meters of fashion, art, surfing and skateboarding. After two locations in France (Paris and Capbreton), Quiksilver laid its bet on the charming Portuguese surf locale for the opening of its new surf shop. Ericeira is the site of Europe’s first international surfing reserve, and was chosen for the opening of the third Boardriders store. A new modern building will house the headquarters. Those who visit the spot, situated between São Sebastião and Ribeira d’Ilhas, near the Ericeira Campground, should prepare for a big surprise. Inside the 540 square meter megastore, customers and employees alike live and breathe surf. Surf boards and TV monitors hang from the ceiling, bright posters dot the walls and shelves with faces of famous athletes over well-known lines of clothing and surf/skate gear, adding to the store’s urban and modern feel. TIAGO PIRES BOARDRIDERS Av. S. Sebastião, 36A, Ericeira Sat-Thurs 9am-10pm, ?Fri 9am-12am

The Open Village Sports hotel has just opened and is located in Mesao Frio,  3 or 4 kms away from the city center of Guimares, that in 2012 will be the one of the European Capitals of culture. With 48 rooms and 3 suites, the hotel has a lounge with an open atmosphere and a restaurant where the flavors of traditional Portuguese Cuisine merge with new recipes. The sports-orientated Hotel has a pool area, gym, soccer field, tennis academy and paddle, medical clinic, conference rooms and a Spa for moments of absolute relaxation.